Here are the ins and outs of how we conduct the best ski test in the industry.

Consensus can be merciless. And when the results are in, we often have some tough phone calls to make. But for every brand that tanks in the test, there’s a brand that shines, and we want readers to know which factories are on their game.

What we shouldn’t have to say is that objectivity rules our test, but we know what goes on at some other tests. So we’ll say it: There’s no “pay-to-play” fee for entry. No medals are exchanged for ad dollars. No palms are greased.